The teenager was killed when the silver Transit van he was travelling in collided with the barrier between the Blaris and Saintfield junctions at around 10.50pm.

It’s understood the van had been stolen in the Republic earlier in the evening.

Police investigating the collision have seized a red Ford Mondeo, thought to have been travelling with the van, from an address in Lagmore, west Belfast.

Inspector Wilson from PSNI Collision Investigation Unit is appealing for witnesses: “We would like to hear from anyone who saw either the silver Transit Van or the Modeo car on the M1 or A1 prior to the time of the collision.

"The number to call is 101.

"I would also like to thank the public at this time for their assistance and patience at the scene last night, particularly those who provided help prior to the arrival of emergency services and those who reported the collision and gave their accounts to the responding officers.”